Allison recognized with prestigious Heritage Award

LUBBOCK, Texas – Rodney Allison, one of the top quarterbacks in school history and the outgoing executive director of the Double T Varsity Club, was recognized Friday evening with the prestigious Heritage Award during the Texas Tech Hall of Fame banquet held at the Overton Hotel and Conference Center.

Since its creation in 2005, the Heritage Award has been considered one of the highest honors a former letterwinner can receive. It is designated to honor a former letterwinner who has been exemplary in their chosen field, while displaying qualities of sportsmanship, character and integrity, a perfect description for Allison, who excelled as a collegiate football coach for numerous years before accepting his position with the Double T Varsity Club.

"Rodney Allison has left a legacy at Texas Tech both as an outstanding quarterback and also in his role leading the Double T Varsity Club," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "Rodney has been passionate about his love for this university and the pride he has in wearing that Double T every single day. He's a Red Raider for life. He may be departing us now, but the legacy and impact he has made on this university and athletics department will live on for years to come."

Allison has served as the executive director of the Double T Varsity Club since the letterwinner's association moved under the leadership of the athletics department in 2013. Since then, he has been vital in bridging the gap between the athletics department and its letterwinners, hosting numerous reunions annually, while also coordinating important events such as the Texas Tech Hall of Fame and any Ring of Honor inductions.

In addition to this role, Allison has been a consistent presence at many Texas Tech events, not only Jones AT&T Stadium where he once starred but throughout the department as a strong advocate for every athletic program. His ultimate goal was for every student-athlete who wore the scarlet and black to have the ability to stay connected and return to the university they once called home.

"Rodney Allison is the epitome of Red Raider for life," said head women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich, a Lady Raider letterwinner herself. "He was instrumental in linking the past to the present, which is such a huge trait and so important for us to continue to do at Texas Tech because our history is so rich. Rodney realizes that and has been a huge advocate for women's sports. We're so happy for Rodney and wish him the best."

Before the days of the Air Raid and spread offenses, there was Rodney Allison.

One of the top quarterbacks still in school history, Allison was named the Most Valuable Player of the Southwest Conference in 1976 as well as the MVP of the Astro Bluebonnet Bowl. The Red Raiders finished 10-2 that season, winning the Southwest Conference title crown behind a 7-1 record that featured wins over both Texas A&M and Texas.

Allison earned his degree in physical education form Texas Tech in May of 1980 following a playing career that resulted in numerous individual accolades. Following his playing career, Allison eventually moved into collegiate coaching with stops at Tech, Duke, Southern Mississippi, Auburn and Clemson. After five stops as an assistant coach, he was named head coach at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in 2002 where he coached six seasons.

The Texas Tech Hall of Fame ceremony was Allison's final event as the leader of the Double T Varsity Club. He and his wife, Leigh, will relocate to the island of Maui in Hawaii in the coming months to be closer to family.

Allison recognized with prestigious Heritage Award

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